The first real festive weekend of the season is upon us: the opening of the Christmas markets, cosy autumn flavours, chestnuts and mulled wine in the hills, contemporary art by the coast, theatre and jazz in the towns, and plenty of fresh air across sea and mountains. As always, we’ve balanced WhatsOnAbruzzo highlights between coast and inland, and included key cities and lesser-known villages for a full Abruzzo experience.
Province Index
AQ – L’Aquila & inland
CH – Chieti & coast/south
PE – Pescara & coast
TE – Teramo & coast/north
FREE = no entry fee (food/drinks or extras may cost).
Always check the event link for updates before travelling.
🎨 Art, Exhibitions & Museums
Mostra “Lo sguardo inesauribile del cigno” – Teramo [TE] · Mon 17–Sun 23 (continues to 30 Nov)
Homage to ballerina Liliana Merlo with archival material, photography and installations at ARCA – Laboratorio per l’Arte Contemporanea.
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“Semi di pace” – Claudio Del Signore – Pescara [PE] · Mon 17–Sun 23
Contemporary painting at Maison des Arts (Fondazione Pescarabruzzo) – last days.
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👨👩👧 Children & Family
Villaggio di Natale – Caramanico Terme [PE] · Sat 22–Sun 23
Family-friendly Christmas village in the thermal town, with stalls, lights and activities for all ages.
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Mercatini di Natale – Bazzano (L’Aquila) [AQ] · Sat 22–Sun 23
Holiday market at the Associazione Cittadini Attivi venue – crafts, festive decorations and children’s entertainment.
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Shopping che premia – Centro d’Abruzzo, San Giovanni Teatino [CH] · Sat 22–Sun 23
Weekend of animation and prize draws in the shopping centre between Pescara and Chieti – ideal for families.
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🍷 Food & Wine / Sagre & Local Flavours
Wine & Virrajine – Tollo [CH] · Sat 22–Sun 23 November
Weekend dedicated to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and local wines, with street food, tastings and music in the wine village of Tollo.
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“Dante di” – Monteodorisio [CH] · Sun 23 November
Autumn feast in the historic borgo of Monteodorisio: pasta e fagioli, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine under the castle walls.
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Sagra delle Noci – Roccaspinalveti [CH] · Sun 23 November
Traditional walnut festival with set lunch and dinner services (12:00 and 19:00) featuring local dishes and autumn flavours.
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Castagne e Vino Novello – Casoli [CH] · Sun 23 November, 13:00
Chestnuts and new wine organised by Comitato Civico “La Stazione”, held at the former elementary school.
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🛍 Markets & Car Boot
Mercatini di Natale – Bazzano (L’Aquila) [AQ] · Sat 22–Sun 23
Holiday market in the village of Bazzano, free entry.
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Villaggio di Natale – Caramanico Terme [PE] · Sat 22–Sun 23
Christmas village in the historic centre with artisan and food stalls.
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Mercatini di Natale – Campo di Giove [AQ] & Roccaraso [AQ] · Sat 22–Sun 23
Two mountain villages offering festive markets ideal to combine in one day.
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➡️ For dates, locations and updates for Christmas Markets, see our full 2025 guide:
Christmas Markets in Abruzzo ➝
🥾 Hikes & Outdoors
Cammino del Perdono – L’Aquila → Sulmona [AQ] · Thu 20–Sun 23
Four-day walking route “On the steps of Celestino” through hills, historic villages and spiritual landscapes.
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Escursione “Forca d’Acero in autunno” – Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo [AQ] · Sat 22
Guided autumn hike among fall foliage and mountain ridges.
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“Aria di Natale nei Parchi” – L’Aquila area [AQ] · Sat 22–Sun 23
Outdoor events in the Gran Sasso & Monti della Laga Park with a festive twist.
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Pizzo di Moscio & Faggi Torti – Il Ceppo, Rocca Santa Maria [TE] · Sun 23
Guided walk through twisted beeches and panoramic viewpoints.
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Le Gole del Salinello – Autumn trek – Civitella del Tronto [TE] · Sun 23
Gorge walk with rock walls, waterfalls and mossy late-autumn colours.
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🎭 Music & Performing Arts
Mountains & Inland
“Don Giovanni” – Teatro Marrucino – Chieti [CH] · Sun 23, evening
Mozart’s opera in Chieti’s historic theatre.
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Sergio Cammariere 5et – Teatro Caniglia – Sulmona [AQ] · Sun 23, evening
Jazz concert by the pianist-singer with quintet.
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Coast & Cities (Pescara)
Mandrake “Famiglia Imbarazzi” – Teatro Circus – Pescara [PE] · Sat 22 (17:00 & 21:00)
Comedy-theatre evening with Mandrake.
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CAVE NOIR FEST – Scumm – Pescara [PE] · Fri 21–Sat 22
Darkwave/post-punk festival in Pescara Vecchia.
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Umberto Galimberti – “L’Io e il Noi” – Teatro Massimo – Pescara [PE] · Sat 22, 21:00
Philosophy talk on society, relationships and the self.
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✝️ Patron Saint Days & Local Traditions
Festa di San Clemente – Fossa [AQ] · Sun 23 November
Patron saint day with village celebrations, communal lunch and folklore.
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🧭 Year-Round Classes & Experiences (All Provinces)
Year-Round Canoeing – Lago di Bomba – Pennadomo [CH]
Gentle canoe outings with Majella views – perfect inland day trip.
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Explore Penne – Orientation Walk – Penne [PE]
A friendly guided walk for newcomers to this Renaissance hilltown.
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Get to Know Teramo – Newcomer Walk – Teramo [TE]
Gentle orientation walk with Abruzzo Sister Tours.
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Lunch & Cooking Classes with Novelia – Sulmona [AQ]
Hands-on Abruzzese cooking in a family home.
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Author: Sam Dunham
Sam is a freelance SEO content creator and IGCSE Geography and English teacher at Istituto Cristo Re in Rome. She also runs the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, sharing stories and insights about this captivating region.
Alongside raising a teenager, Sam hosts guests at her family’s traditional home, the Little House of the Firefly in Abruzzo, offering a warm welcome and insider tips on local culture, food, and hidden gems.
